Why do British people always under-dress in winter??

[Newmeagain]

This has always puzzled me. I have lived in the UK for many years and so often in winter see people wearing inappropriate clothing and looking very cold - e.g. a thin raincoat, bare legs or uncovered shoes.

Was also just reading a thread where the OP was asking for recommendations for a short winter jacket to wear in Paris in January and lots of people were suggesting the kind of cotton jackets I wear on cooler summer days!

Why is this??

Because we live in Northern Europe and we don’t feel the cold. The further up the country you go, the less and less clothes people wear. Eventually, in Scotland, everyone is pretty much naked in the snow.

I'm from Scotland. I first went to Germany when I was 21 and my German friends were astonished I didn't own a jacket... I walked around in hoodies even in snow.
I've now been in the south of Germany for 15 years and have acclimatised (though it took ages). I'm back for Christmas in Scotland and I am fucking freezing 🤣 I'm shocked seeing kids in jumpers, some even in t-shirts! Mine are wrapped up in jackets, hats, scarves, snow trousers and still saying they're cold 😆 but I know it's just for Scotland...they're used to it!

I think anywhere in the 5-15 degree range and it's mostly personal preference, everybody is different.
It's about 7C here today and I've seen a lady in just trousers and backless top, a guy in shorts/jumper and a young girl in short shorts but with a giant parka on!

I'm def a cold sort though and I love to layer. On the outside it looked like I was wearing leggings, t shirt and fleece jacket....was actually 2 pairs of socks, thermal tights, leggings, thermal vest, long sleeved top, t shirt, cardigan aaaaand fleece jacket!😄

Completely with you OP! But I do think people seem to experience hot and cold differently. I run very cold and get done up in loads of clothes (I live in London) but it's only in the summer that I realise how much people's internal thermostats vary as people will be going on about how hot it is, how they can't sleep and are sweating and I think it's a lovely ambient temperature, finally. Or I'll be in the in the freezing council pool and people are just standing around chatting whilst I am desperately keeping up speed to keep warm and sometimes wear a rash vest. I'm 50ish and am not finding myself any warmer.

Used to it being chilly in the north of England
I always sleep with window open and no heat in bedroom other than an electric blanket so it’s toasty to get in

Nooooo where I live we get very little rain. It’s definitely a point of honour to wear shorts all year round.

I see some people in shorts all year round. I agree it’s some kind of point of honour for some of them.
I do see plenty of people in warm coats, gloves, hats and scarfs too.

In Germany the cold is much drier. I find that it's not the temperature that makes me cold it's the dampness, we lived on Germany and experienced very cold weather but because it wasn't damp we were able to wrap up against it. Even the snow was different, it was squeaky but rarely went slushy and horrible, we still refer to 'German snow' if it's very cold but not damp.

Where are you making these observations? I will dress differently for a day in work in London than I would a walk in the countryside. It’s horribly uncomfortable being on the tube dressed for the cold, as I’m mostly just doing a 2 minute walk car to station, tube station to office building, you won’t see wrapped up much in London!

There is a muddy reservoir walk near us and some of the outfits worn are very unsuitable, white trainers, leather jackets, heeled boots, handbags.
DH is German and he never ceases to be amazed at how unpractically a LOT of English people dress

I’m cold and I think some people dress badly for winter. Ie don’t bother with proper boots/ shoes a warm coat hat gloves and scarf. Warm tights, socks. Inappropriate materials ie not waterproof.All these things can cost money. The amount of children I see in flimsy dresses and sliders , communities wearing sandals in December and tiny babies without hats ! I don’t like to judge but it can look cheap too.

I don’t need an excuse to wear my bobble hat.

But why wouldn’t you just assume those people don’t feel the cold as much as you do? I hate feeling bundled up. I haven’t worn a hat and gloves yet this winter, just a light parka, and as a non-driver, I walk and cycle everywhere. It just hasn’t been that cold. And if ‘communities’ wear sandals at any time of year, surely that’s an indication they’re fine with it? The Capuchin priests who live down the road from me wear sandals and bare feet year round. And a baby will make it very clear if they’re cold and need more clothes. Or, alternatively, pull off a hat that’s irritating them.

I think the climate has just got warmer, I have drawers full of jumpers, hats scarves gloves and I like wearing them but the winters have just got much milder! In October I noticed lots of Brands had 20% off their knitwear! Presumably because it had been so mild & no one was buying it!
it’s been cold here this week & my fluffy coat was straight out!
i think it’s getting colder again next week though so get your bobble hats ready!

Even if it was below zero I'd melt in that lot. I never layer my bottom half, I only learned that tights under trousers or leggings was a thing when I joined MN and have never tried it. Never wear wool, virtually never wear a hat or scarf, never double up in socks apart from long distance walking where it's to prevent rubbing not for warmth, thermal tops are only for football matches in the middle of winter where I am staying still.

Because if you're all layered up and then working in a hot office or running around a supermarket or the shops you'll boil!

Unless you're going out hiking there's really no need to dress like you're off on an Arctic expedition.

We went for a popular walk yesterday - muddy in places, cold, some steep uphill parts, windy. Our group were all in wellies/ walking boots and windproof coats- so many others in white converse, fur coats, trench coats, platform trainers ..... the worst though are when the kids are in impractical clothing - poor little lad yesterday in a very light denim jacket was purple and shaking!

I feel you must have met my son. Wandering around in a t-shirt in December despite me having spent hundreds of pounds on coats for him over the past few years in a futile attempt to find one he will actually wear. He —likes— —to— —show— —off— —his— —arms— doesn’t feel the cold.

My friends sister has lived in Barcelona for 30 years. The Spanish have dates when the clothing for the season changes ( e.g summer things are packed away and now it's officially autumn).Everyone goes out and 'promenades ' in their new gear. After that date it doesn't matter what the actual temperature is ,it matters what the season is and that absolutely dictates what you wear. My friend googled the weather and packed summer things to stay with her sister. Sister was dressed for autumn and genuinely horrified that her sister was planning to wear summer dresses. It's how you spot the locals v the tourists. Tourists dress for the weather, locals dress for the season.

Being peri, my body temperature can go haywire at times, though I've never had the proper sweats, iyswim. I live close to the town centre and walk everywhere in town.

It's around 4°C outside at the moment, not very cold, but nippy. I have a "duvet" coat which has hardly been used this winter yet because, no need. I have a raincoat with a fleece lining which I find the most comfortable in the current weather.

Walking everywhere means I warm up quickly and actually feel hot when I go into shops and public buildings. I have hardly worn my hat and scarf this winter at all. I do have waterproof shoes (hiking shoes) which I find more comfortable than trainers.

Quite often unless I'm going for a "big walk" around my local park I don't take a brolly if it rains. (The problem with brollies is that they are crap in windy weather and then when you don't need them you have to have a bag to carry them around in. Very annoying)

My parents live more rurally than me and they also hate going out in too much clothing. It's restrictive and in my mother's case, terrible for her mobility. She wears thermals then a thinner coat on top because it's more comfortable for her.

My daughter lives in London and often goes out without a coat. Hoodie, trainers, jeans, travelcard and phone, done. But she only needs to nip to the nearest bus stop or tube station then in and out if buildings without being outside much at all. DD does walk too, but even then it's a light raincoat, she doesn't feel the need for anything else.

I don’t think I had an appropriate coat, layers etc for the British winter until I was in my late 30s. I spent most winters freezing my ass off. I think it was because I came from a very car oriented and indoorsy family. I saw proper winter gear as deeply nerdy and unfashionable. Now I’m a gorpcore queen.

No idea where you are looking g OP but most people I see dress for the conditions. Thick coat, hat thick trousers, tights, boots etc. Why would you care anyway what other people wear?

I feel the cold so I dress according to the weather and activity I am doing.
To some, like my DS, I am over-dressed but I know what I need.
Ds will be wearing shorts and a hoody when I’m well wrapped up. Horses for courses and I don’t give a damn what others think, least of all whether I look fashionable!

I'm starting to think OP has a point. I live in NZ and we live in puffer jackets all winter - and I'm out walking and moving around while I'm wearing mine (I don't drive). Some of you sound quite mad!

I have wondered this too. My theory is that the houses are so cold, that when they go outside they don’t really notice the difference?